The first book appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 16th century, when the first printer Ivan Fedorov, with the grace of the Metropolitan of Kiev John, began work on the Apostle. The book was intended for worship and contained the Acts of the Apostles from the New Testament, the Epistle of the Holy Apostles, as well as allyluaria, verses from the Psalms. The beginning of typography was laid.
In the five hundred years that have passed since the Apostle was published, much water has flowed. Today, modern printing houses print hundreds of thousands of books with colorful illustrations in a variety of covers. Millions of readers await the appearance on the shelves of their favorite publications and instantly sell them out. Works are the main source of spiritual wealth of modern man, and the rating of the most popular books is steadily increasing.
The role of literature
“The Russian nation is the most read in the world” - these words of one of the referents of the Central Committee of the CPSU for Culture (perhaps he repeated the classic’s dictum) became a slogan throughout the territory of the former Soviet Union. How justified it is not for us to judge. However, Russian literature has deep historical roots (11th century A.D.). The largest literary masterpieces, mostly handwritten, are now kept in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. The works of the classics of the 18th-19th centuries are included in the curriculum of both secondary schools and universities. Chekhov and Dostoevsky, Griboedov and Chernyshevsky, dozens and hundreds of authors contributed to the treasury of Russian literature. And these are books, books, books ...
Bible and Capital
The most popular book is, of course, the Bible, which is part of the lives of millions of people, not only in Russia, but also in many countries of the world. Not so long ago, Capital, the fundamental work of Karl Marx criticizing capitalism, was also considered a popular publication; it was a handbook of Soviet party functionaries, as well as a multimillion-dollar community of ordinary members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
To say that the work of Karl Marx is the most popular book can be a stretch, since its popularity was instilled through propaganda in the media. The same thing happened with the multi-volume editions of the works of V.I. Lenin - they were simply distributed according to the order, although they were present in retail under the title "Subscribed Editions".
At the end of the 1950s, a serious problem arose in the book market of the Soviet Union: where do you find Stalin’s works in 18 volumes, printed on good paper, in knee-binding with gold stamping, in a circulation of 300 thousand copies. After the Twentieth Congress of the CPSU, held in 1956, and criticism of the personality cult of the leader of the book, there was nowhere to go. The bulk was destroyed in open-hearth furnaces, and the few copies that have been saved are today a rarity.
Russian editions
The most popular books of our time in Russia are Bulgakov’s novels and novels, in particular the unfading masterpiece “The Master and Margarita,” Chekhov’s stories and novels, Kuprin’s exquisite work and the fine satire of Gogol. Next are the deeply psychological works of Dostoevsky, Leskov’s novels, touching tales of Bazhov ... The most popular Russian books can be listed indefinitely.
Literary excursions into the history of Boris Akunin are already closer to our days, but no less famous works. For fans of the detective genre, books by Alexandra Marinina and Daria Dontsova, Tatyana Ustinova and Polina Dashkova are published. Someone likes ironic detectives, someone straightforward tales, but all are unanimous in opinion - books are interesting to read.
Detectives
The most popular books of our time are also represented by fantastic, espionage and political detective stories. The detective palette of Russian literature is quite wide and includes such works as Petrovka 38 and Ogareva 6 by Yuliana Semenova, The Era of Mercy of the Viner brothers, The Strugatsky Brothers Hotel “At the Fallen Climber.” At the same time, Russian readers Do not refuse detective-adventure literature of foreign writers. Books of the recognized classic of the detective genre, famous Arthur Conan Doyle, and today occupy an honorable place on the shelves of millions of Russians.
Sherlock Holmes
The adventures of detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson are inimitable masterpieces that have led the rating of the most popular books of the detective genre for many years. The writer Arthur Conan Doyle has another series of works dedicated to the pirate leader, captain Sharkey. These stories do not have a detective story, they are adventure and reminiscent of the work of Louis Boussenard, in particular, the novel The Diamond Thieves.
Love books
In second place after detective literature for the Russian reader are novels, novels and love stories. Melodramatic plots, love triangles, happiness and sorrow, the apotheosis of love and its fall - all this is in print.
The classics of love relationships are reflected in the work "Eugene Onegin" by Pushkin, in the novel "Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov, in the novel "Shulamith" by Kuprin and many others. The most popular love books can be found in libraries and bookstores.
Vilmont and Demidova
The most outstanding author of our time, writing on a love theme, is Catherine Wilmont. From the last she wrote, one can single out "Deception of pure water", "Secret behind the door", "Disguise for the villain", "It's hard to be brave." At the same level with Vilmont in terms of creativity is Svetlana Demidova (Lubenets). Her stories “Banal story” and “The whole palette of tenderness” are hidden recommendations for inexperienced girls. The works of Ekaterina Vilmont and Svetlana Demidova are at the highest steps of the rating "10 most popular books about love."
Fantasy
The science fiction genre also has a considerable number of fans. Books of the Strugatsky brothers “Country of crimson clouds”, “Picnic on the sidelines”, “Monday begins on Saturday”, “It is difficult to be a god” were included in the Golden Fund of Russian literature. Science fiction writer Ivan Efremov is an outstanding author of stories in an unrealistic dimension. His immortal works “Bull Hour”, “Razor Blade”, “Andromeda Nebula” delight more than one generation of grateful readers.
Alexander Belyaev, author of amazingly powerful and deep works such as Amphibian Man, The Head of Professor Dowell, Seller of Air, Ariel, has not lost its artistic value over the past sixty years, is one of the most sought-after writers. .
The most popular books (science fiction and science fiction) were written in the middle of the last century, many authors no longer exist, but the memory of them is still alive. Films based on the works of science fiction writers interpret the content of the novels in their own way. The directors use special effects in order to enhance the impression of the episodes, since usually the plot of the film revolves around some cosmic events. Of course, these techniques are absent in the book, and the reader, getting into the cinema, is at a loss - he does not see the correspondence. This is the magic of cinema, however, if the director is too keen on the situation, the literary reading of the plot may suffer - the book and the film will be on different sides of the barricades.
Fantasy books
Fantasy books occupy a special place on the bookshelves in every home. This genre is reminiscent of science fiction, but its main difference is fabulousness, unreality of what is happening and clearly defined categories of good and evil. As a rule, the plots of works are built on the confrontation of good forces and evil wizards.
The most popular fantasy books have been written in the past, but attention to them has not waned even today. The most striking stories are laid in the publications of Joan Rowling about Harry Potter, in the works of John Tolkien, such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "Children of Hurin." Literary works in the fantasy genre can also include the novel "Running on the Waves" by Alexander Green, in which strange events take place with a happy ending. The story of the same author, “Scarlet Sails,” also has elements of fairy tale, but they are of man-made origin, since Arthur Gray, who fell in love with Assol, sewed sails from scarlet silk on their own - they did not appear by magic, as happens in fantasy works. The book "Scarlet Sails" can be classified as a "fairy-tale extravaganza".
The most popular fantasy book is "Harry Potter" by Joan Rowling, which contains all the signs of this style. This conclusion was unanimously made by critics during a public discussion of the writer's work.
Books for youth
The print media most demanded by the younger generation are quite mature classic works. It is characteristic that young men and women name publications as their favorite books in the range from The Little Prince by Antoine Saint Exupery to Kuprin's Garnet Bracelet. Between these preferences are the works of The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. There is also the “Idiot” of Dostoevsky and “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury. The "Arc de Triomphe" by Erich Maria Remarque is understood and loved by girls 15-16 years old.
Truly Russia is the most reading country in the world. The most popular books among young people are in the hundreds, boys and girls have long overtaken their grandparents in the amount of literature they read and are already being selected by their parents.
Foreign books
Books of American, English and French authors are no less in demand in Russia than the works of Russian writers. The detective genre is represented by the Frenchman
Georges Simenon, in whom the hero of the novels is Commissioner Megreet. Agatha Christie, who is the main character in her own stories, made famous the images of Hercule Poirot, as well as Miss Marple. The books of Agatha Christie can argue in the number of publications with the works of Shakespeare and even the Bible. Edgar Allan Poe, an American detective story writer, gained popularity with the Golden Beetle.
Among American writers there are many followers of other genres who are not related to detective literature. First of all, this is the golden five of American authors, which includes Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Scott Fitzgerald, John Updike and William Faulkner. The latter is considered the deepest prose writer in the entire literary history of the United States. His novels “Noise and Fury,” “Sartoris,” and “Light in August,” are recognized as works of the highest level. And the Snowps trilogy, made up of three completely independent novels, "The Village", "City", "The Mansion", is the subject of endless discussion by critics and journalists. Faulkner’s most popular book is the Sanctuary novel, which in style and content echoes Dostoevsky’s drama Crime and Punishment.